December 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Meeting Agenda Summaries Now on Channel 18,
City Web Site, YouTube
DECATUR - The first of what will be regular Decatur City Council meeting packet summaries by City Manager Ryan McCrady and staff is now being broadcast on AccessDECATUR, TV cable channel 18, on the city’s web site and on YouTube at youtube.com/accessdecatur.
The video broadcasts represent the latest in city efforts to keep Decatur residents informed about city government and to utilize new technology to make government more accessible while connecting directly with residents. Prior to each council meeting city staff prepares an information packet for the public and council providing an explanation of and supporting documentation for meeting agenda items. The packets, though necessary, can be voluminous and the video summaries are an attempt to make that information as accessible to the public as possible.
The future goal is to have the summaries available on the Friday prior to city council meetings, which are held on the first, third and sometimes fifth Monday of each month. The meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber of the Decatur Civic Center. Council meetings are now recorded and made available via the web site, usually on the day following the meeting.
Today millions of users access online video to gather information while businesses and government officials are beginning to realize the power of the medium to provide information to the public through video on demand. President Elect Obama has even begun posting his weekly radio address and other videos on YouTube.
The council meeting packets are also available online at the City of Decatur’s web site - http://www.decaturil.gov. For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.